Trim breaker for a structural cabinet that incorporates a structural glass contact surface

ABSTRACT

A refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes a liner portion coupled with the inner liner, a wrapper portion coupled to the outer wrapper and an outer glazing member that extends between the liner and wrapper portions. An external surface of the outer glazing member defines a contact surface that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel in a closed position.

FIELD OF THE DEVICE

The device is in the field of structural cabinets for appliances, and more specifically, a trim breaker for a structural cabinet that includes a glass and steel trim breaker that connects the inner liner and the outer wrapper.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes a liner portion coupled with the inner liner, a wrapper portion coupled to the outer wrapper and an outer glazing member that extends between the liner and wrapper portions. An external surface of the outer glazing member defines a contact surface that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel in a closed position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a structural cabinet for an appliance includes an outer glazing member, an inner glazing member offset from the outer glazing member and an inner liner and an outer wrapper that cooperatively define a glazing receptacle. The outer glazing member engages an outer portion of the glazing receptacle and the inner glazing member engages an inner portion of the glazing receptacle.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a trim breaker for an appliance cabinet includes a metallic liner portion that is configured to attach to an inner liner, a metallic wrapper portion that is configured to attach to an outer wrapper and inner and outer glazing members that extend between the liner and wrapper portions. The outer glazing member is configured to define a contact surface that receives an operable panel in a closed position and the inner glazing member is configured to partially define an insulating cavity.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an appliance that incorporates a structural cabinet having the glass and steel trim breaker;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an aspect of the glass and steel trim breaker;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the glass and steel trim breaker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structural cabinet of FIG. 1, taken along line IV-IV and showing engagement of the glass and steel trim breaker with the metallic inner liner and the metallic outer wrapper;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an appliance cabinet showing the interface between the glass and steel trim breaker and an operable panel in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is an alternative cross-sectional view of the structural cabinet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the glass and steel trim breaker used in connection with a structural cabinet having an interior mullion; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the glass and steel trim breaker of FIG. 7.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a trim breaker for an appliance cabinet. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, reference numeral 10 generally refers to a trim breaker used in connection with a structural cabinet 12 for an appliance 14, where the trim breaker 10 includes at least one structural glass member 16 for partially supporting the structural cabinet 12 and defining an insulating cavity 18 therein. According to various aspects of the device, the structural cabinet 12 for an appliance 14, such as a refrigerating appliance 14, includes an inner liner 20 and an outer wrapper 22 to define an insulating cavity 18 therebetween. The trim breaker 10 includes a liner portion 24 that is coupled with an inner liner 20 and a wrapper portion 26 that is coupled with the outer wrapper 22. The structural glass member 16 can include an outer glazing member 28 that extends between the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. An external surface 30 of the outer glazing member 28 defines the contact surface 32 that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel 36, when the operable panel 36 is in a closed position 38. It is contemplated that the structural glass member 16 of the trim breaker 10 can also include an inner glazing member 40 that is coupled to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. An interior surface 132 of the inner glazing member 40 is configured to partially define the insulating cavity 18 within the structural cabinet 12.

According to various aspects of the device, the inner liner 20 and the outer wrapper 22 are typically metallic members that form the outer walls 50 of the structural cabinet 12. The liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 of the trim breaker 10 are also metallic, typically steel, and can be welded to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22 to form an airtight or substantially airtight seal at the location of the trim breaker 10. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 are then attached to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 and define an edge surface 52 of the structural cabinet 12. As discussed above, this edge surface 52 of the structural cabinet 12 is typically in the form of a contact surface 32 that receives one or more operable panels 36 in a closed position 38.

As exemplified in FIGS. 2-6, the outer glazing member 28 typically engages an outer surface 60 of the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. In this manner, the outer glazing member 28 can define a contact surface 32 for the trim breaker 10 and for the structural cabinet 12. The inner glazing member 40 typically engages an inner surface 62 of the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. Through this engagement, the outer glazing member 28 is offset from the inner glazing member 40 to define an interstitial space 64 therebetween. This interstitial space 64 can be used as an insulating space 66 of the trim breaker 10 for slowing or limiting the transfer of heat 112 from areas outside of the structural cabinet 12 to insulated compartments 68 within the structural cabinet 12. To provide additional insulation at the trim breaker 10, the interstitial space 64 defined between the outer glazing member 28 and the inner glazing member 40 can be defined by an at least partial vacuum 70. It is contemplated that this interstitial space 64 can include an insulating material 72. This insulating material 72 can include, but is not limited to, one or more insulating gasses, foam insulation, fumed silica, precipitated silica, other silica-based material, perlite, glass spheres, hollow glass spheres, combinations thereof and other similar insulating materials 72.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 of the trim breaker 10 can be welded to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22. In this manner, the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 as well as the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22 can be made of steel, alloys thereof, or other similar metallic material that can form a welded connection. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be bonded, welded or otherwise attached to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 of the trim breaker 10 via various connecting mechanisms and methods. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be attached to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 via various bonding adhesives that can include a polymer glazing such as butyl, frit soldering, epoxy, silicone, various sealants, and other similar bond adhesives. It is also contemplated that the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be attached to the liner and wrapper portion 24, 26 via glass welding, typically used in combination with one or more sealant materials.

According to various aspects of the device, the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be made of various materials. These materials can include, but are not limited to, glass, tempered glass, ceramic, combinations thereof, and other similar glazing materials that can be used in structural applications. In various aspects, the material of the outer glazing member 28 may be the same material as that of the inner glazing member 40. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 may also be made of different materials. Because the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 are positioned at different locations and may engage different materials, the different materials may be selected to address the differing conditions experienced by the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40.

Through the use of the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40, the structural cabinet 12 can experience reduced permeation of gas through the area of the trim breaker 10, when compared to trim breakers 10 that are made of plastic or other similar polymer-type material. The use of the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 also provide resistance to large thermal strain that may be experienced over a large temperature range. These temperatures may be experienced during use of the appliance 14, such as where a refrigerator is stored in a garage or other outdoor or semi-outdoor area. These extreme temperatures are also experienced during manufacture, transport, and storage of the appliance 14.

By way of example, where a particular appliance 14 is transported or stored in a metal container, the temperatures within these containers can regularly exceed 45° C. or more. In these extreme temperatures, conventional plastic or polymer trim members may experience greater degrees of gas permeation through the material of the conventional trim member that can result in a degradation of the vacuum contained within the insulating cavity 18. These extreme temperatures can also result in a structural weakening of the plastic and polymer material of conventional trim members.

Using the trim breaker 10 that contains the metallic liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 and the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40, greater resistance to gas permeation is achieved as well as greater resistance to thermal strain over large temperature ranges. Additionally, glass and steel can be relatively inexpensive materials to manufacture and also work with during manufacture of a particular structural cabinet 12. Accordingly, using the various aspects of the trim breaker 10 disclosed herein, the use of welding techniques and relatively convenient bonding geometry for forming the trim breaker 10, and also attaching a trim breaker 10 to the remainder of the structural cabinet 12 can achieve cost savings, faster production time and use of fewer resources.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the structural cabinet 12 for the appliance 14 can include the outer glazing member 28 and the inner glazing member 40 that is offset from the outer glazing member 28. The inner liner 20 and the outer wrapper 22 cooperatively define a glazing receptacle 80. This glazing receptacle 80 can be in the form of the liner portion 24 and wrapper portion 26 that are welded to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22, respectively. During manufacture, it is contemplated that the liner portion 24 and wrapper portion 26 can be welded to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22, and then subsequently the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be adhered to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 that form the glazing receptacle 80.

In alternative aspects of the device, it is contemplated that the trim breaker 10 can be formed where the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 are adhered to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 in one assembly location. This trim breaker 10, in the form of an assembly, can then be attached to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22 as a subsequent manufacturing step in forming the structural cabinet 12.

During the formation of the trim breaker 10, the outer glazing member 28 typically engages an outer portion of the glazing receptacle 80 and the inner glazing member 40 engages an inner portion of the glazing receptacle 80. Through this configuration, the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be offset from one another to form the interstitial space 64 therebetween. As discussed above, this interstitial space 64 can be used as an additional insulating feature of the structural cabinet 12 that may be maintained at an at least partial vacuum 70. This interstitial space 64 can also be filled or partially filled with an insulating material 72 similar to those materials described above.

As exemplified in FIGS. 2-6, the outer glazing member 28 is typically configured to define a contact surface 32 that is used to receive a magnetic seal 34 of an operable panel 36 for the appliance 14, such as a door 90 or drawer 92. Through this configuration, the magnetic seal 34 for the operable panel 36 engages the smooth contact surface 32 of the outer glazing member 28 to define a substantially consistent seal at the contact surface 32. According to various aspects of the device, the interstitial space 64 defined between the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can include a magnetic material 100 that can be used to magnetically engage a magnet 104 defined within the magnetic seal 34 of the operable panel 36. This magnetic material 100 can be a type of magnet 104 or can be a ferromagnetic material 102 that is disposed within the interstitial space 64.

As exemplified in FIG. 5, the structural cabinet 12 can include a heat loop 110 that runs through a portion of the structural cabinet 12 near the trim breaker 10. This heat loop 110 is used to provide a heating function that emits heat 112 toward the contact surface 32 of the structural cabinet 12. Heat 112 provided to the contact surface 32 by the heat loop 110 is used to prevent condensation from forming on the contact surface 32. This condensation can result from a temperature difference that may exist between the surface of the structural cabinet 12 and the areas surrounding the exterior of the structural cabinet 12. If condensation forms on the contact surface 32, this condensation can accumulate and pool in an area on the floor in front of the appliance 14. Using the heat loop 110, the contact surface 32 can be at least partially heated to minimize any temperature difference and prevent the accumulation of condensation on the contact surface 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the trim breaker 10 that is formed by the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 that are bonded or adhered to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 can include a mullion member 120 that extends through a central area of the trim breaker 10. In forming this trim breaker 10 having the mullion member 120, the trim breaker 10 can include a single wrapper portion 26 that extends around the perimeter of the trim breaker 10. The liner portion 24 of the trim breaker 10 can include multiple separate aperture members 122 that can be used to define apertures 124 for accessing separate insulated compartments 68 that will be defined within the appliance 14. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can then be positioned between the wrapper portion 26 and the two or more aperture members 122 of the liner portion 24 to form the trim breaker 10 having at least one mullion member 120. Where the mullion member 120 is included, the wrapper portion 26 of the trim breaker 10 is welded to the outer wrapper 22. Each aperture member 122 of the liner portion 24 can be welded to a respective inner liner 20 that forms each insulated compartment 68 of the appliance 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the trim breaker 10 that is formed by the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 and the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be used to define a trim breaker 10 for an insulated operable panel 36. In such an embodiment, the trim breaker 10 can be used to define the location of the operable panel 36 where the magnetic seal 34 is attached. Similar to the structural cabinet 12, the operable panel 36 can include an inner liner 20 and an outer wrapper 22 that are each welded to the wrapper and liner portions 26, 24, respectively, to define an insulating cavity 18 within the operable panel 36. The trim breaker 10 having the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be used to define the trim breaker 10 that extends between the inner liner 20 and the outer wrapper 22.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 6, the glazing receptacle 80 that is defined by the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 of the trim breaker 10 can include various geometries that can be used to extend between the inner and outer glazing members 40, 28 and the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22. Various fillets, chamfers, and other similar rounded geometries can be used to extend between the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 and the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22. Additionally, the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 of the trim breaker 10 can include a recessed portion 130 that is configured to receive the outer glazing member 28 in a substantially flush configuration with the outer surface 60 of the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. It is also contemplated that the outer glazing member 28 can be attached to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 and stand proud of the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. In such a configuration, the outer glazing member 28 may include rounded or angled edges that can be incorporated to prevent nicks, chips, and scratches from occurring within outer edges of the outer glazing member 28.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4-6, the structural cabinet 12 can include an insulating material 72 that is disposed within the insulating cavity 18. This insulating material 72 can be any one of various materials that can include, but are not limited to, one or more insulating gasses, foam insulation, fumed silica, precipitated silica, other silica-based material, perlite, glass spheres, hollow glass spheres, combinations thereof and other similar insulating materials 72. It is contemplated that these insulating materials 72 contained within the insulating cavity 18 defined by the structural cabinet 12 can substantially fill the entire insulating cavity 18. In this manner, the insulating material 72 can directly engage the interior surface 132 of the inner glazing member 40.

According to various aspects of the device, the trim breaker 10 disclosed herein incorporates the at least one structural glass member 16 to be used within various appliances 14. Such appliances 14 can include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, coolers, ovens, dishwashers, laundry appliances, small appliances, combinations thereof, and other similar commercial and residential appliances and fixtures.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerating appliance comprising: an inner liner; an outer wrapper; and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween, the trim breaker comprising: a liner portion coupled with the inner liner; a wrapper portion coupled to the outer wrapper; and an outer glazing member that extends between the liner and wrapper portions, wherein an external surface of the outer glazing member defines a contact surface that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel in a closed position.
 2. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, further comprising: an inner glazing member that is coupled to the liner and wrapper portions wherein an interior surface of the inner glazing member partially defines the insulating cavity.
 3. The refrigerating appliance of claim 2, wherein the outer glazing member engages an outer surface of the liner and wrapper portions and the inner glazing member engages an inner surface of the liner and wrapper portions.
 4. The refrigerating appliance of claim 2, wherein the outer and inner glazing members define an interstitial space therebetween.
 5. The refrigerating appliance of claim 2, wherein the inner glazing member is tempered glass.
 6. The refrigerating appliance of claim 4, wherein the interstitial space defines an at least partial vacuum.
 7. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the liner and wrapper portions are welded to the inner liner and the outer wrapper, respectively.
 8. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the outer glazing member is glass.
 9. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein a heat loop is positioned proximate the outer glazing member to selectively heat the contact surface.
 10. A structural cabinet for an appliance, the structural cabinet comprising: an outer glazing member; an inner glazing member offset from the outer glazing member; and an inner liner and an outer wrapper that cooperatively define a glazing receptacle, wherein the outer glazing member engages an outer portion of the glazing receptacle and the inner glazing member engages an inner portion of the glazing receptacle.
 11. The structural cabinet of claim 10, wherein the glazing receptacle includes a liner portion that is welded to the inner liner and a wrapper portion that is welded to the outer wrapper.
 12. The structural cabinet of claim 10, wherein the outer glazing member and the inner glazing member define an interstitial space therebetween.
 13. The structural cabinet of claim 12, wherein the interstitial space defines an at least partial vacuum.
 14. The structural cabinet of claim 10, wherein the outer glazing member defines a contact surface that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel in a closed position.
 15. The structural cabinet of claim 12, wherein the interstitial space includes an insulating material.
 16. The structural cabinet of claim 15, wherein the insulating material includes an insulating gas.
 17. The structural cabinet of claim 10, wherein the inner glazing member is glass.
 18. A trim breaker for an appliance cabinet, the trim breaker comprising: a metallic liner portion that is configured to attach to an inner liner; a metallic wrapper portion that is configured to attach to an outer wrapper; and inner and outer glazing members that extend between the liner and wrapper portions, wherein the outer glazing member is configured to define a contact surface that receives an operable panel in a closed position and the inner glazing member is configured to partially define an insulating cavity.
 19. The trim breaker of claim 18, wherein the outer and inner glazing members define an interstitial space therebetween.
 20. The trim breaker of claim 18, wherein the inner and outer glazing members include glass. 